Self-defense forces were initially well received by local residents tired of the Knights Templars' extortion, kidnapping and murder, but some businessmen have complained that the armed groups are now extorting them.

Drug trafficking—specifically in crystal meth—is no longer the number one source of income for the Knights Templar cartel. According to Mexican officials, the cartel now funds itself through "illegal mining, illegal logging, and extortion." No word on where the harvesting of children's organs fits on that list.